Does it seem to you that sickness and disease are on the rampage? Whew! It seems like everywhere you turn any more you hear someone has received a bad report. Things have gotten so bad where my brother lives that their church is in a prayer and fast revival, with the main theme, ‘Praying Cancer OUT Of Anderson.’
One may wonder how this is possible…can disease be something folks can pray out of a city? While I don’t pretend to have all the answers, I believe it is indeed possible to pray that kind of a prayer.
What we are dealing with are not just hereditary diseases or things we catch, like one would a softball. I believe diseases are an attack from the enemy of our souls that come to kill, steal, and destroy. The Word of God confirms this in Luke 13:11...
And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
It is the job of satan and his emissaries to stop the believer before their appointed time, and prevent the nonbeliever from coming to the Lord.
But hear ye the Word of the Lord…
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (I Peter 2:24).
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (Psalm 107:20).
Not only ARE we healed, but we WERE healed the moment the stripes were applied to the back of the Master. The price for sickness has been paid. As someone once said, “Healing is the children's bread.” We can boldly approach the throne with our petitions because His Word says we ARE healed.
When the people of God become desperate for a touch from on High, God does the impossible. Our family can speak about this from experience…
My brother, Rob, was three years old when he was hospitalized with pneumonia. It was there that the doctor discovered he had leukemia. In 1956 there wasn’t much they could do for someone with this form of cancer, and the doctor said those very words to my parents.
I remember the police coming to our door, as we didn’t have a telephone, and telling my parents to get right up to the hospital because Rob was dying. Daddy somehow contacted our pastor, and the church prayed. The report that came from the doctor was this… “It was a Higher Power that saved your boy, for there was nothing we could do!”
March, 29, 2010, and Rob is yet alive and well!
I have seen God do SO many wonderful things. More than 15 years ago I fell up a flight of stairs…don’t ask! I was in a hurry and wasn’t paying attention, as I was busy preparing to leave the next day for a convention.
In the process of falling, my right shoulder hit the step…hard. When I turned around to sit down, I was in such pain, there are not words to describe. A friend was there, and related to me after this ordeal was over that she was afraid at the time to tell me just how bad I looked…black under the eyes, and the shoulder was drooped way down my arm.
I had knocked it out of socket, y'all.
Someone ran to get ice, but they had to remove it because of the pain. My friend said we had better go to the hospital, but I asked that before we do, would they pray? She sat next to me, gently laid her hand on my back, which, even in her gentleness, was extremely painful...but then she prayed these simple words, “Lord, you know we don’t have time for this…!”
When she said those words, I felt my shoulder pop back in place. Her daughter was on the other side of the room, frightened I imagine, and said that she heard it pop. God healed my shoulder, and I have never been to a doctor about it.
My niece had a detached retina, and through prayer and faith, it reattached, something the experts tell us is impossible. I saw a woman with a broken back leap from the wheel chair and run around the church house. Sister Alice was in so much pain, they could barely get her from the car into the church, but afterward, she walked on her own to the car, rejoicing in the Lord.
Though some leave here and are not healed, that does not mean healing has ceased. I don’t understand God’s will and timing in such matters, but I DO know God is still a healer!
When my 20 year old nephew passed, I had to say those words out loud, "God is STILL a healer!" It was necessary to say it, not just for my own benefit, but so the devil could hear it. Though grieving, he had to know that my faith was not shaken because John was gone. God still works the impossible!
In describing the loss of both of her nephew's eyes due to disease, a friend said that though it is something she will never understand, the fact remains, God is STILL a healer!
He is a testimony that though he cannot see with his natural eyes, it is possible to lead a productive life with a positive attitude...she said her nephew does everything he wants to do, plays the piano, and even water skies.
The Lord continues to work the impossible. The blind still see. The deaf still hear. The lame still walk. The diseased are still made whole. The Healer has not left the building...He is here!
So today, if you or a loved one have received a bad report, choose to receive the report of the Lord! His Word says we are healed! Trust in the Lord this day, for the Healer IS here!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
God Wants What Is Best For Us
It seems like an elementary thought, doesn’t it? The Lord loves His children and wants what is best for us. He said in His Word, No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). We know it and have heard it preached time and again, but often it is hard for some to accept this is meant for them. Wonder why that is?
It was pointed out to me recently that perhaps this is so because of past relationships. For example, when a person has grown up not knowing the love of a parent, it may be hard to fully comprehend the love extended to them by our Heavenly Father, for they simply have nothing to compare this kind of love to.
How often have we read these words spoken by the Master…
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:9-11).
It is the Holy Bible and we know it is true…but, the question remains the same, how can this be true for me?
This analogy does not just apply to the orphan, but to those who had an inattentive parent, one who may not have known how to express love to their child. Consequently, children grow up with a void in their inner beings. There is an emptiness, a deficiency that they try to fill with things, but things cannot replace the loss of a dysfunctional or absent parent/family structure. So, when they come to the Lord, they know John 3:16, but when it comes to believing God wants the best for them, they have a difficult time wrapping their faith around something they have never experienced in the natural.
The same is true of folks, especially women, who have had bad personal relationships. The man who beats his wife with a broom handle one minute, the next minute says, “Baby, you know I love you,” and continues this vicious cycle, has a wife who has a hard time understanding the depths of the love of the Lord.
The woman who endures a constant verbal attack may not accept the Lord whispering, “You are important to me” as being really for her. It is possible to become so accustomed to the negative tone and action that when pure and honest love comes from above, it is not easily understood or received.
What we have in this are people who are saved and Sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, and fire baptized, yet are, to call up an expression from the 70s, “living beneath their privilege.” Their inability to completely trust in every area is not something which will prevent them from entering through the Pearly Gates, but it does hinder their peace of mind and joy of spirit in this arena.
As I ponder all of this, I see my grandmother in my mind. If ever a godly woman walked this earth, it was my grandmother, yet she found it hard to trust the Lord completely. Her story is one of losing her mother at the age of nine, and having her father marry the 19 year old babysitter three months later. “Stepmother,” as Grandma always referred to her, set my granny out to work soon after, so Grandma had little formal education, and no parental guidance. This lack of nurturing can be seen in how she related, not just to family, but to her Lord.
What was needed was a healing of the emotions. Some think that emotions should not enter in when speaking of spiritual matters, but I would disagree. God fashioned us as emotional beings. The events in our lives are not easily forgotten, and emotions can be wounded as easily as receiving a bump on the head produces a wound. Thus the need for the Healer.
The experts will tell us that “there is sometimes no way to speed up the healing process,” and they would be correct. In the natural realm, sometimes we just have to wait things out and go through the process. But then there is God! I have seen Him do in an instant what years of process management could never do. His love goes beyond all human understanding and reaches to the broken pieces of our hearts and emotions. It is this healing balm which binds the wounds and heals the broken pieces, filling in the empty spot with trust and assurance that He wants the best for His children.
Emotional healing brings wholeness and is no respecter of persons. If the Lord has ever healed one, He will heal all. While the events of the past may have formed us, they do NOT have to define us. Our lives are not set in stone, in that once we head out on a course, we must remain there forever. We can receive these simple truths into our inner beings and be whole…
He doesn’t have a secret agenda or watch our backs because He wants something in return. The Lord wants what is best for us because He loves us, and it is as simple as that. It is He who purchased us with His own Blood. It is He who came that we might have abundant life. Abundance in every area…heart, mind, soul, provision, family…every area of our lives.
God has our best interest at heart, and this is revealed through His Word…
Jeremiah 29:11 reads, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
The Master of all creation thinks about you and me. The Amplified Bible reads, For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
It is the Lord’s desire that we walk in peace and have hope in the final outcome of it all. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Sounds like we have a Father in heaven who sees after us and wants what is best.
I pray today that those hurting from events long ago are healed and made whole. May they receive all that the Lord has for them, and learn to trust He will perform His Word everyday, in every way. In Jesus’ Name…Amen!
It was pointed out to me recently that perhaps this is so because of past relationships. For example, when a person has grown up not knowing the love of a parent, it may be hard to fully comprehend the love extended to them by our Heavenly Father, for they simply have nothing to compare this kind of love to.
How often have we read these words spoken by the Master…
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:9-11).
It is the Holy Bible and we know it is true…but, the question remains the same, how can this be true for me?
This analogy does not just apply to the orphan, but to those who had an inattentive parent, one who may not have known how to express love to their child. Consequently, children grow up with a void in their inner beings. There is an emptiness, a deficiency that they try to fill with things, but things cannot replace the loss of a dysfunctional or absent parent/family structure. So, when they come to the Lord, they know John 3:16, but when it comes to believing God wants the best for them, they have a difficult time wrapping their faith around something they have never experienced in the natural.
The same is true of folks, especially women, who have had bad personal relationships. The man who beats his wife with a broom handle one minute, the next minute says, “Baby, you know I love you,” and continues this vicious cycle, has a wife who has a hard time understanding the depths of the love of the Lord.
The woman who endures a constant verbal attack may not accept the Lord whispering, “You are important to me” as being really for her. It is possible to become so accustomed to the negative tone and action that when pure and honest love comes from above, it is not easily understood or received.
What we have in this are people who are saved and Sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, and fire baptized, yet are, to call up an expression from the 70s, “living beneath their privilege.” Their inability to completely trust in every area is not something which will prevent them from entering through the Pearly Gates, but it does hinder their peace of mind and joy of spirit in this arena.
As I ponder all of this, I see my grandmother in my mind. If ever a godly woman walked this earth, it was my grandmother, yet she found it hard to trust the Lord completely. Her story is one of losing her mother at the age of nine, and having her father marry the 19 year old babysitter three months later. “Stepmother,” as Grandma always referred to her, set my granny out to work soon after, so Grandma had little formal education, and no parental guidance. This lack of nurturing can be seen in how she related, not just to family, but to her Lord.
What was needed was a healing of the emotions. Some think that emotions should not enter in when speaking of spiritual matters, but I would disagree. God fashioned us as emotional beings. The events in our lives are not easily forgotten, and emotions can be wounded as easily as receiving a bump on the head produces a wound. Thus the need for the Healer.
The experts will tell us that “there is sometimes no way to speed up the healing process,” and they would be correct. In the natural realm, sometimes we just have to wait things out and go through the process. But then there is God! I have seen Him do in an instant what years of process management could never do. His love goes beyond all human understanding and reaches to the broken pieces of our hearts and emotions. It is this healing balm which binds the wounds and heals the broken pieces, filling in the empty spot with trust and assurance that He wants the best for His children.
Emotional healing brings wholeness and is no respecter of persons. If the Lord has ever healed one, He will heal all. While the events of the past may have formed us, they do NOT have to define us. Our lives are not set in stone, in that once we head out on a course, we must remain there forever. We can receive these simple truths into our inner beings and be whole…
- God wants what is best for us
- God has our best interest at heart
He doesn’t have a secret agenda or watch our backs because He wants something in return. The Lord wants what is best for us because He loves us, and it is as simple as that. It is He who purchased us with His own Blood. It is He who came that we might have abundant life. Abundance in every area…heart, mind, soul, provision, family…every area of our lives.
God has our best interest at heart, and this is revealed through His Word…
Jeremiah 29:11 reads, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
The Master of all creation thinks about you and me. The Amplified Bible reads, For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
It is the Lord’s desire that we walk in peace and have hope in the final outcome of it all. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Sounds like we have a Father in heaven who sees after us and wants what is best.
I pray today that those hurting from events long ago are healed and made whole. May they receive all that the Lord has for them, and learn to trust He will perform His Word everyday, in every way. In Jesus’ Name…Amen!
Friday, March 19, 2010
There Is Always A Place At The Table
This thought has been on my heart all day, and is 'provoked' by the lyrics of a wonderful song, written by Bill & Gloria Gaither. You will find that this piece is not for everyone, for it is carefully aimed and directed…
To the soldier who is weary of the journey and may have stepped away, or is considering stepping away from the House of Refuge. To the child of God who may have become swallowed up with the trick bag of the enemy and feels their mistake means there is no place for them now. To the oppressed and depressed who are convinced they just need time alone…“I’m all right…I just need some space.” To the hurting…those who perhaps were made to feel they were pushed aside and forgotten.
If the words above fit your situation, I have a word for YOU…
There is always a place at the table. Regardless of what has happened or how bad things may seem, we want you here. You are needed here. You are important to us. You are missed at the table of the Lord. There has always been a place for you here!
The Church of the Living God is a family. Just as we miss a family member who is not seated with us at supper time, the Family of God misses your presence…your voice…your testimony …we miss YOU!
Most importantly, the Lord misses you. He is seated at the head of the table, looking for you. He knows where you are, but is yet looking for you to come through the door, pull out your chair, be seated, place the napkin in your lap, and eat at His table. Though He sees your pain, weariness, and mistake, in the midst of all that may be wrong today, He sends an invitation, one which reads the same as all the rest, Come home!
The words that were penned by the poet are so true…a person can get “used to living on the outside looking in.” I am a witness, for I have been broken. I have the unfortunate testimony of a backslider, and know how hard it seems to find a way home. Our own minds convince us that there are so many at the table who have never left…why would the Host save a seat for me? But today I promise you, your place has NEVER been filled by another.
There has always been a place at the table set just for you...
Can you picture it? The golden charger is in place under the finest china, the silver place settings and crystal are sparkling. The place card is set, with your name carefully handwritten by the Lord. The centerpiece is the finest of floral arrangements placed by the Rose of Sharon, the table lit with the Glory of God. The feast is prepared and lovingly served by the Bread of Life...and to think, He did it all for YOU!
Be encouraged today. The Host didn’t remove your name from the guest list because you got up from the table, for in the words of the poet, Your place is set each time the family gathers. It will never be the same till you are home!
You are invited to come back home and dine with the family…won't you come?
To the soldier who is weary of the journey and may have stepped away, or is considering stepping away from the House of Refuge. To the child of God who may have become swallowed up with the trick bag of the enemy and feels their mistake means there is no place for them now. To the oppressed and depressed who are convinced they just need time alone…“I’m all right…I just need some space.” To the hurting…those who perhaps were made to feel they were pushed aside and forgotten.
If the words above fit your situation, I have a word for YOU…
There is always a place at the table. Regardless of what has happened or how bad things may seem, we want you here. You are needed here. You are important to us. You are missed at the table of the Lord. There has always been a place for you here!
The Church of the Living God is a family. Just as we miss a family member who is not seated with us at supper time, the Family of God misses your presence…your voice…your testimony …we miss YOU!
Most importantly, the Lord misses you. He is seated at the head of the table, looking for you. He knows where you are, but is yet looking for you to come through the door, pull out your chair, be seated, place the napkin in your lap, and eat at His table. Though He sees your pain, weariness, and mistake, in the midst of all that may be wrong today, He sends an invitation, one which reads the same as all the rest, Come home!
The words that were penned by the poet are so true…a person can get “used to living on the outside looking in.” I am a witness, for I have been broken. I have the unfortunate testimony of a backslider, and know how hard it seems to find a way home. Our own minds convince us that there are so many at the table who have never left…why would the Host save a seat for me? But today I promise you, your place has NEVER been filled by another.
There has always been a place at the table set just for you...
Can you picture it? The golden charger is in place under the finest china, the silver place settings and crystal are sparkling. The place card is set, with your name carefully handwritten by the Lord. The centerpiece is the finest of floral arrangements placed by the Rose of Sharon, the table lit with the Glory of God. The feast is prepared and lovingly served by the Bread of Life...and to think, He did it all for YOU!
Be encouraged today. The Host didn’t remove your name from the guest list because you got up from the table, for in the words of the poet, Your place is set each time the family gathers. It will never be the same till you are home!
You are invited to come back home and dine with the family…won't you come?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
An Audience With the King
As I stated in other posts, sometimes words or phrases will seem to ‘jump out’ at me, causing the wheels of my inner beings to stir. And so it was yesterday morning in a telephone conversation with a dear friend, for as she spoke the words, “I have an audience with the King,” my spirit leaped within me. I asked if I might use her words, and she said, “Yes!”
In our limited thinking, we consider ‘having an audience’ in terms of being granted permission to be in the presence of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II or His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. In both cases, such permission is granted by request of the ‘commoner’, and in the case of the Queen of England, as she desires.
In order to be in the presence of the Pope, it is quite an undertaking. The papal staff must have at least two weeks notice through a written letter from a bishop or a well-known layperson, detailing when you will be in Rome. When the audience is granted, a letter is sent, and then you submit a letter of acceptance to the Vatican. Only then is an invitation sent, with the time and date determined by the papal staff…Wednesday is the only day of the week for an audience with the Pope.
So...the big day arrives, and if you have not been assured of reserved seating, you must arrive early, standing in line for at least two hours, so as to have good viewing of the Pope as he delivers his Wednesday morning sermon.
To make things easier, there is a Website set up so that one need not go through the process of a long line and limited view. All you have to do is book a tour with a Vatican authorized agency, and for 259,000 euro, you may visit the museums and inner sanctum of the Vatican, and be ushered in early to gain supreme seating.
Even in this, you are not granted a private, one on one, face to face, eyeball to eyeball, personal audience with the Pope.
But then you look heavenward, where you view the Throne Room of the Most High God. John said he saw a throne, and one sitting on the throne (Revelation 4:2). It is He who extends the invitation, “Come unto me.” You don’t have to request an audience…all you have to do is enter in.
The Lord doesn’t ask that you go through a long process of mediators and emissaries paving the way. You don’t have to spend a boatload of money seeking an entrance into His presence, or ask for preferential treatment because of some feat you have performed. All you have to do is enter in.
You are ushered into His presence through worship and praise. As you kneel in the presence of the King, you are expressing your faith and trust in a God who does all things well, and showing humility and reverence for His sovereignty. You don’t have to quickly kneel and rise as to make way for the masses who garner His attention. He invites you to linger in His presence and receive the fullness of His joy and rest. Take your time, for this is an audience with the King!
While it is fitting to give an offering when you come into His presence, the Lord doesn’t ask for a monetary gift. The reason for this is that a person might give an offering, hoping their outward show of obeisance gains them favor. All too often, however, such a mindset is not based on relationship with the Master, but on selfish gain. They are not seeking communion...as it was with Ananias and Sapphira in the first century Church, the individual wants the attention and 15 minutes of fame that grandstanding provides.
The Lord only asks that you offer your body a living sacrifice, giving yourself wholly to Him. Our God is a jealous God who doesn’t want us distracted by other voices…when we are in His presence, nothing else matters. That’s when you know you have found true intimacy with the Lord…when all else is blocked out, and all you can see is His face...when His voice is the only voice that you long to hear…when you would rather die in your tracks than disappoint the Lover of your soul, then you know you have gained an audience with the King.
This audience with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is a personal one. Though He may be meeting with zillions of people at the same moment you enter in, the magnificence of it is that His full attention is centered on you, at the same time neglecting no one. His love so envelopes your total being, you are convinced you are the only one in His heavenly court.
The Lord doesn’t speak in general terms, but His words are precise, speaking to the point of your need. He extends endless love, bestows blessing and favor, binds and heals wounds, speaks peace to a worried mind and troubled heart, gives answers to difficult questions, grants the desires of your heart, makes the way plain, puts the missing pieces to the puzzle in place, brings reassurance that all is well.
As my friend said, "What an honor! What a privilege!" Just to think that the God of all creation opens the door of the Throne Room, and tenderly says, "Come and sit with me in heavenly places!" What an honor and privilege indeed!
This is an experience that money cannot buy, and the wonderful thing about it is this…it doesn’t have to be a once in a lifetime event, for anytime of the day or night we can have an audience with the King.
As the songwriter so beautifully stated, One night with the King changes everything!
All we have to do is enter in…
In our limited thinking, we consider ‘having an audience’ in terms of being granted permission to be in the presence of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II or His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. In both cases, such permission is granted by request of the ‘commoner’, and in the case of the Queen of England, as she desires.
In order to be in the presence of the Pope, it is quite an undertaking. The papal staff must have at least two weeks notice through a written letter from a bishop or a well-known layperson, detailing when you will be in Rome. When the audience is granted, a letter is sent, and then you submit a letter of acceptance to the Vatican. Only then is an invitation sent, with the time and date determined by the papal staff…Wednesday is the only day of the week for an audience with the Pope.
So...the big day arrives, and if you have not been assured of reserved seating, you must arrive early, standing in line for at least two hours, so as to have good viewing of the Pope as he delivers his Wednesday morning sermon.
To make things easier, there is a Website set up so that one need not go through the process of a long line and limited view. All you have to do is book a tour with a Vatican authorized agency, and for 259,000 euro, you may visit the museums and inner sanctum of the Vatican, and be ushered in early to gain supreme seating.
Even in this, you are not granted a private, one on one, face to face, eyeball to eyeball, personal audience with the Pope.
But then you look heavenward, where you view the Throne Room of the Most High God. John said he saw a throne, and one sitting on the throne (Revelation 4:2). It is He who extends the invitation, “Come unto me.” You don’t have to request an audience…all you have to do is enter in.
The Lord doesn’t ask that you go through a long process of mediators and emissaries paving the way. You don’t have to spend a boatload of money seeking an entrance into His presence, or ask for preferential treatment because of some feat you have performed. All you have to do is enter in.
You are ushered into His presence through worship and praise. As you kneel in the presence of the King, you are expressing your faith and trust in a God who does all things well, and showing humility and reverence for His sovereignty. You don’t have to quickly kneel and rise as to make way for the masses who garner His attention. He invites you to linger in His presence and receive the fullness of His joy and rest. Take your time, for this is an audience with the King!
While it is fitting to give an offering when you come into His presence, the Lord doesn’t ask for a monetary gift. The reason for this is that a person might give an offering, hoping their outward show of obeisance gains them favor. All too often, however, such a mindset is not based on relationship with the Master, but on selfish gain. They are not seeking communion...as it was with Ananias and Sapphira in the first century Church, the individual wants the attention and 15 minutes of fame that grandstanding provides.
The Lord only asks that you offer your body a living sacrifice, giving yourself wholly to Him. Our God is a jealous God who doesn’t want us distracted by other voices…when we are in His presence, nothing else matters. That’s when you know you have found true intimacy with the Lord…when all else is blocked out, and all you can see is His face...when His voice is the only voice that you long to hear…when you would rather die in your tracks than disappoint the Lover of your soul, then you know you have gained an audience with the King.
This audience with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is a personal one. Though He may be meeting with zillions of people at the same moment you enter in, the magnificence of it is that His full attention is centered on you, at the same time neglecting no one. His love so envelopes your total being, you are convinced you are the only one in His heavenly court.
The Lord doesn’t speak in general terms, but His words are precise, speaking to the point of your need. He extends endless love, bestows blessing and favor, binds and heals wounds, speaks peace to a worried mind and troubled heart, gives answers to difficult questions, grants the desires of your heart, makes the way plain, puts the missing pieces to the puzzle in place, brings reassurance that all is well.
As my friend said, "What an honor! What a privilege!" Just to think that the God of all creation opens the door of the Throne Room, and tenderly says, "Come and sit with me in heavenly places!" What an honor and privilege indeed!
This is an experience that money cannot buy, and the wonderful thing about it is this…it doesn’t have to be a once in a lifetime event, for anytime of the day or night we can have an audience with the King.
As the songwriter so beautifully stated, One night with the King changes everything!
All we have to do is enter in…
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Let us Draw In the Reins of Our Minds
Drawing in the reins of our mind…an expression the Mothers of the Church have often used. It conjures up a picture of someone trying to stop a runaway horse, galloping for all he is worth. The rider will pull back hard on the reins, hoping to slow the pace and get 'Trigger' back on course.
It's not unusual for us to half listen or for the mind to wander...it happens to me all the time. Sometimes my concentration level is just not where it should be. You know how it is...someone is telling you something, but your thoughts are running somewhere else, or you're thinking about what you are going to say in response. I don't think I'm unique in this...we just don't listen.
This was brilliantly illustrated once in a sermon. The preacher said that he and his wife were at dinner with her family and he tried this experiment…
"Imagine you are driving a bus and you go about a quarter of a mile, and pick up 3 children. You drive another 4 blocks and pick up 2 more...go another 6 blocks and pick up 4 more, and finally drive another mile and drop off 5 children.
What is the bus driver's first name?"
No one could answer...the elder said, "See, you weren't listening...I began, 'Imagine YOU are driving...' You don't listen!"
Thinking of his words again today, I began to reflect how this is true with me and with spiritual matters. How often have I missed an important point in a sermon because I was thinking of something else? I am a writer of sorts, and sometimes words or phrases will 'jump out' at me and set my mind in a frenzy of thoughts...so then I'm scrambling for pen and paper, and you see how it is...distraction of the highest magnitude.
My thoughts may have seemed as needful as concentrating on one particular point in the message, or concern for a friend or loved one caused me to think, "Oh, this Word would bless them." Whatever the logical reason for it, truth is, I was distracted away from the Word being preached. Like the runaway horse, my mind was running wild.
It is often the little things, like personal preference, that will draw my attention away from important things, causing me to block out what is happening at the moment. Case in point…what wonderful lyrics have I missed because I didn't care for the melody of the song?
Where is my mind and why am I not listening?!
Sis. Nona Freeman, former missionary to Africa, and a lifelong minister of the Word, cited this incident in one of her books. It is a conversation with a dying Saint...
"A casual observer would have thought me a real Christian. I went through the motions knowing the right things to do and say, but my heart was not in it. I carefully did all the pastor expected but while my lips voiced meaningless praise words, my mind toyed with every conceivable fantasy.
Real worship is a concert from the heart, soul, and mind. I went through the actions of singing, testifying, praying, and listening to messages while in my mind I cut out a new dress, planted flowers, painted the kitchen, visited friends and relations, or went shopping with limitless funds.
Oh, my friend...if only I could go back one more time and sing one of those lovely old songs about the Blood of Jesus. I would picture the cross and praise Him with deep gratitude for the precious flow that redeemed me. When the leader said, 'Let everyone pray', how fervently I would lift my voice to the King. When the preacher opened the Word, I would follow him in my Bible, make notes, and allow the living Truth to nourish my soul.
I would have real concern and compassion for a lost world, and do something about it, if I could. But it's over and done...my chance is forever gone. The dear Lord has assured me He’ll take me to His house, but I go with empty hands."
Her final words to Sister Freeman were, “Whenever you think of me, warn others to be real, to serve God from the heart, and not to waste the precious fleeting moments.”
Life is SO short, y'all. Even if we live to be 100 years old, when compared with eternity, a century of living is nothing. With that thought in mind, let us make the most of our time here. From this point on, and forevermore, let us continually draw in the reins of our minds. It is only when we do that we will hear the still small voice compelling us and drawing us closer...ever closer to Him.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Isaiah 26:3).
It's not unusual for us to half listen or for the mind to wander...it happens to me all the time. Sometimes my concentration level is just not where it should be. You know how it is...someone is telling you something, but your thoughts are running somewhere else, or you're thinking about what you are going to say in response. I don't think I'm unique in this...we just don't listen.
This was brilliantly illustrated once in a sermon. The preacher said that he and his wife were at dinner with her family and he tried this experiment…
"Imagine you are driving a bus and you go about a quarter of a mile, and pick up 3 children. You drive another 4 blocks and pick up 2 more...go another 6 blocks and pick up 4 more, and finally drive another mile and drop off 5 children.
What is the bus driver's first name?"
No one could answer...the elder said, "See, you weren't listening...I began, 'Imagine YOU are driving...' You don't listen!"
Thinking of his words again today, I began to reflect how this is true with me and with spiritual matters. How often have I missed an important point in a sermon because I was thinking of something else? I am a writer of sorts, and sometimes words or phrases will 'jump out' at me and set my mind in a frenzy of thoughts...so then I'm scrambling for pen and paper, and you see how it is...distraction of the highest magnitude.
My thoughts may have seemed as needful as concentrating on one particular point in the message, or concern for a friend or loved one caused me to think, "Oh, this Word would bless them." Whatever the logical reason for it, truth is, I was distracted away from the Word being preached. Like the runaway horse, my mind was running wild.
It is often the little things, like personal preference, that will draw my attention away from important things, causing me to block out what is happening at the moment. Case in point…what wonderful lyrics have I missed because I didn't care for the melody of the song?
Where is my mind and why am I not listening?!
Sis. Nona Freeman, former missionary to Africa, and a lifelong minister of the Word, cited this incident in one of her books. It is a conversation with a dying Saint...
"A casual observer would have thought me a real Christian. I went through the motions knowing the right things to do and say, but my heart was not in it. I carefully did all the pastor expected but while my lips voiced meaningless praise words, my mind toyed with every conceivable fantasy.
Real worship is a concert from the heart, soul, and mind. I went through the actions of singing, testifying, praying, and listening to messages while in my mind I cut out a new dress, planted flowers, painted the kitchen, visited friends and relations, or went shopping with limitless funds.
Oh, my friend...if only I could go back one more time and sing one of those lovely old songs about the Blood of Jesus. I would picture the cross and praise Him with deep gratitude for the precious flow that redeemed me. When the leader said, 'Let everyone pray', how fervently I would lift my voice to the King. When the preacher opened the Word, I would follow him in my Bible, make notes, and allow the living Truth to nourish my soul.
I would have real concern and compassion for a lost world, and do something about it, if I could. But it's over and done...my chance is forever gone. The dear Lord has assured me He’ll take me to His house, but I go with empty hands."
Her final words to Sister Freeman were, “Whenever you think of me, warn others to be real, to serve God from the heart, and not to waste the precious fleeting moments.”
Life is SO short, y'all. Even if we live to be 100 years old, when compared with eternity, a century of living is nothing. With that thought in mind, let us make the most of our time here. From this point on, and forevermore, let us continually draw in the reins of our minds. It is only when we do that we will hear the still small voice compelling us and drawing us closer...ever closer to Him.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Isaiah 26:3).
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
An Empty, Willing Vessel
It has often been said in lessons and sermons that “God is not looking for ability, but availability.” While this is true, it is easy to wonder, “Yes, but what can I do…I would make myself available if I knew what to do?” Well, I’m so glad you asked!
The first thing to do is realize that making ourselves available to the Lord is the most important thing. It is greater than a gift or talent. Being available means we are capable of being used. This capability does not mean we have super abilities, just that we are unoccupied or entangled with anything else. In other words, we are free and at liberty to do the Lord’s will.
Lives that are available to the Lord are those which have been emptied of every inner distraction and fear. An emptied life is what is described in Romans 12:1 as, “a living sacrifice.” Paul called this our “reasonable service.” God is not asking a hard thing or something we can’t do, but is simply looking for our reasonable or suitable service. What are you best suited for? What do you like to do?
Ministry can be found if we are available...
Do you like to cook? Well, consider fixing a nice lunch for the pastor and church secretary, and dropping it off at the front office. Maybe the Mothers of the Church would like someone to prepare them a home cooked meal, delivered to their door. You can fix food for church funerals and events, or help serve and clean up. Perhaps decorating for church functions is your thing. It may seem like insignificant and not ministry at all, but how needed this gift is! Many don’t like to cook or have the time, and not everyone has the flair for decorating and presenting food in an appetizing manner, but if you are capable, what a blessing this would be.
Maybe your gift is that you are outgoing and love meeting new people…outreach or the hospitality team would be for you. Perhaps you sing or play an instrument, but feel that the choir stand is full, and musicians are plentiful. Well, remember that the music department in most churches is more than the choir and band. Singing and playing for the prison ministry or retirement centers would be most needed.
It is possible that you have a way with babies and toddlers…working in the church nursery or teaching Sunday School may be your place of ministry.
And just maybe you like to write. The Church will always need books and literature written by men and women of faith, and the Internet is a great place to share the written Word of God. Perhaps you enjoy sending ‘Thinking of You’ cards...brightening the corner where you are and making someone’s day is a wonderful gift. The possibilities are endless of what we can do for Kingdom sake.
If you glean nothing else from this piece, I pray you understand that we are ALL important, and EVERY part of the body is needful. The mouth cannot say to the hand, “I am greater than you because I speak the Word, and all you do is labor with your hands.” Each one of us have a role to play and a place of importance in Kingdom work. The mouth without the hand is crippled…hands without a voice may lack clarity. The Body of Christ needs each one to play the part they were meant to play.
There is a marvelous story told in II Kings 4:1-6 about a woman whose husband is dead, and the creditor has come to take her sons to pay off the debt. She sought the advice of the man of God in this matter, and in doing so, she wasn’t looking for a handout…the widow knew the prophet didn’t have it to give. What she was looking for was to hear a Word from the Lord…a word of wisdom that would bring the solution for this dilemma.
Elisha asked what she had in her house. He wasn’t asking a hard thing, just for what she had on hand. What did she have at her fingertips that God could use to bring a miracle?
The widow said that all she had was a pot of oil. The preacher said, “Go to your neighbors and borrow empty vessels…borrow as many as they will allow. When you have scrounged and done all you can, go into your house, shut the door, and pour the oil into the empty vessels.” While the empty vessels were available, the oil continued to flow, but when there were no more vessels, the oil stopped.
Bro. Jeff Arnold once preached, There Is A Miracle Looking For A Vessel. He was speaking about receiving a miracle, and it is a wonderful message. But I would take that word a step further, and ask, Is there an empty vessel looking to be a miracle?
Today the Lord wants to work through you. He wants to speak through you to encourage someone’s heart. He wants to work through you to show someone the Way. He wants to take your empty, willing vessel and anoint you for His service.
May you be encouraged today to present your body a living sacrifice unto the Lord. There is a place for you in the Kingdom, and I am a witness...the Lord will take your gift and make room for you. As you continually empty your vessel of debris and whatnot that tries to clutter the heart, the Lord will fill it and use you for His glory.
In speaking about the Apostle Paul someone once said, “God emptied him out, filled him up, sent him out, and took him home.”
Lord, may it be said of each of us that we did all we could while we could, to the glory of God.
Have a great day!
The first thing to do is realize that making ourselves available to the Lord is the most important thing. It is greater than a gift or talent. Being available means we are capable of being used. This capability does not mean we have super abilities, just that we are unoccupied or entangled with anything else. In other words, we are free and at liberty to do the Lord’s will.
Lives that are available to the Lord are those which have been emptied of every inner distraction and fear. An emptied life is what is described in Romans 12:1 as, “a living sacrifice.” Paul called this our “reasonable service.” God is not asking a hard thing or something we can’t do, but is simply looking for our reasonable or suitable service. What are you best suited for? What do you like to do?
Ministry can be found if we are available...
Do you like to cook? Well, consider fixing a nice lunch for the pastor and church secretary, and dropping it off at the front office. Maybe the Mothers of the Church would like someone to prepare them a home cooked meal, delivered to their door. You can fix food for church funerals and events, or help serve and clean up. Perhaps decorating for church functions is your thing. It may seem like insignificant and not ministry at all, but how needed this gift is! Many don’t like to cook or have the time, and not everyone has the flair for decorating and presenting food in an appetizing manner, but if you are capable, what a blessing this would be.
Maybe your gift is that you are outgoing and love meeting new people…outreach or the hospitality team would be for you. Perhaps you sing or play an instrument, but feel that the choir stand is full, and musicians are plentiful. Well, remember that the music department in most churches is more than the choir and band. Singing and playing for the prison ministry or retirement centers would be most needed.
It is possible that you have a way with babies and toddlers…working in the church nursery or teaching Sunday School may be your place of ministry.
And just maybe you like to write. The Church will always need books and literature written by men and women of faith, and the Internet is a great place to share the written Word of God. Perhaps you enjoy sending ‘Thinking of You’ cards...brightening the corner where you are and making someone’s day is a wonderful gift. The possibilities are endless of what we can do for Kingdom sake.
If you glean nothing else from this piece, I pray you understand that we are ALL important, and EVERY part of the body is needful. The mouth cannot say to the hand, “I am greater than you because I speak the Word, and all you do is labor with your hands.” Each one of us have a role to play and a place of importance in Kingdom work. The mouth without the hand is crippled…hands without a voice may lack clarity. The Body of Christ needs each one to play the part they were meant to play.
There is a marvelous story told in II Kings 4:1-6 about a woman whose husband is dead, and the creditor has come to take her sons to pay off the debt. She sought the advice of the man of God in this matter, and in doing so, she wasn’t looking for a handout…the widow knew the prophet didn’t have it to give. What she was looking for was to hear a Word from the Lord…a word of wisdom that would bring the solution for this dilemma.
Elisha asked what she had in her house. He wasn’t asking a hard thing, just for what she had on hand. What did she have at her fingertips that God could use to bring a miracle?
The widow said that all she had was a pot of oil. The preacher said, “Go to your neighbors and borrow empty vessels…borrow as many as they will allow. When you have scrounged and done all you can, go into your house, shut the door, and pour the oil into the empty vessels.” While the empty vessels were available, the oil continued to flow, but when there were no more vessels, the oil stopped.
Bro. Jeff Arnold once preached, There Is A Miracle Looking For A Vessel. He was speaking about receiving a miracle, and it is a wonderful message. But I would take that word a step further, and ask, Is there an empty vessel looking to be a miracle?
Today the Lord wants to work through you. He wants to speak through you to encourage someone’s heart. He wants to work through you to show someone the Way. He wants to take your empty, willing vessel and anoint you for His service.
May you be encouraged today to present your body a living sacrifice unto the Lord. There is a place for you in the Kingdom, and I am a witness...the Lord will take your gift and make room for you. As you continually empty your vessel of debris and whatnot that tries to clutter the heart, the Lord will fill it and use you for His glory.
In speaking about the Apostle Paul someone once said, “God emptied him out, filled him up, sent him out, and took him home.”
Lord, may it be said of each of us that we did all we could while we could, to the glory of God.
Have a great day!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Words Seasoned With Grace
Some think that it doesn’t matter what we say or how we say it. The truth is, words speak volumes about who we are, where we come from, what we believe, and where we are going. Linguists (experts in languages) can accurately identify a person’s origin, sometimes within miles, simply by words and the manner in which they are spoken.
Words are the manner in which we communicate how we feel, what we desire, need, and want…they are the true expression of our humanness. The spoken word has more power than we may realize, for with a word we have the ability to help or hurt. (Proverbs 18:21). Depending on the words we choose to speak, we are either blessed and a blessing, or we are cursed and curse others. (James 3:10).
The syllables that are formed into sentences do not leave the atmosphere once they leave our lips, and often have far-reaching effects. The childrens rhyme is oft repeated, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” but that is not true…words DO hurt. People will grieve forever because of an off-the-wall remark made thirty years ago by some little freckle-faced kid when they were in the third grade.
I would ask you to think about the small child who constantly hears, "You're nothing! You look just like your bald headed daddy...he never amounted to anything and neither will you!" What about the person who hears, "You can't do this...you're not smart enough or cute enough or talented enough"... or "You're just a woman/Black/Asian/Hispanic/poor..." Words will weigh on the mind and very heart core long after the individual who spoke them is dead and gone.
Some would declare that it is childish and downright silly to get all hung up on what someone has to say about us, but alas, tis easier said than done. What people say conveys the very intent of their inner most beings, and this is scriptural (Matthew 12:34). While they may be appearing to mean one particular thing, their words reveal the truth.
That's why it is incumbent upon each of us to take into account what we say in every arena of life...in the home and on the job...to the Saints in our churches...to the children entrusted into our care...in the marketplace...everywhere we go we should set a watch over our mouths.
Our prayer should be that we speak words seasoned with grace…
** I love you ** You are important to me ** Thank you ** Please ** What can I do for YOU? ** Here, let me help you or do that for you ** It's okay ** We're gonna get through this ** You can depend on me ** That was a good job ** I appreciate you ** I see your point ** Let me tell you what a good husband, wife, child, parent, or friend you are to me ** You look so nice today ** That color is perfect for you ** I am proud of you **I forgive you ** I am sorry ** Please forgive me ** You are right ** I was wrong ** I respect you ** It's okay to try again** I trust you** I believe in you **
Not only will these words bring healing, but try them out on a stranger and see if the word is not manifested, A soft (gentle) answer turns away wrath.
This is a brand new day to bring healing, restoration, and reconciliation. Our words will build a bridge that cannot be destroyed...may they be seasoned with grace!
Words are the manner in which we communicate how we feel, what we desire, need, and want…they are the true expression of our humanness. The spoken word has more power than we may realize, for with a word we have the ability to help or hurt. (Proverbs 18:21). Depending on the words we choose to speak, we are either blessed and a blessing, or we are cursed and curse others. (James 3:10).
The syllables that are formed into sentences do not leave the atmosphere once they leave our lips, and often have far-reaching effects. The childrens rhyme is oft repeated, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” but that is not true…words DO hurt. People will grieve forever because of an off-the-wall remark made thirty years ago by some little freckle-faced kid when they were in the third grade.
I would ask you to think about the small child who constantly hears, "You're nothing! You look just like your bald headed daddy...he never amounted to anything and neither will you!" What about the person who hears, "You can't do this...you're not smart enough or cute enough or talented enough"... or "You're just a woman/Black/Asian/Hispanic/poor..." Words will weigh on the mind and very heart core long after the individual who spoke them is dead and gone.
Some would declare that it is childish and downright silly to get all hung up on what someone has to say about us, but alas, tis easier said than done. What people say conveys the very intent of their inner most beings, and this is scriptural (Matthew 12:34). While they may be appearing to mean one particular thing, their words reveal the truth.
That's why it is incumbent upon each of us to take into account what we say in every arena of life...in the home and on the job...to the Saints in our churches...to the children entrusted into our care...in the marketplace...everywhere we go we should set a watch over our mouths.
Our prayer should be that we speak words seasoned with grace…
** I love you ** You are important to me ** Thank you ** Please ** What can I do for YOU? ** Here, let me help you or do that for you ** It's okay ** We're gonna get through this ** You can depend on me ** That was a good job ** I appreciate you ** I see your point ** Let me tell you what a good husband, wife, child, parent, or friend you are to me ** You look so nice today ** That color is perfect for you ** I am proud of you **I forgive you ** I am sorry ** Please forgive me ** You are right ** I was wrong ** I respect you ** It's okay to try again** I trust you** I believe in you **
Not only will these words bring healing, but try them out on a stranger and see if the word is not manifested, A soft (gentle) answer turns away wrath.
This is a brand new day to bring healing, restoration, and reconciliation. Our words will build a bridge that cannot be destroyed...may they be seasoned with grace!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
What is God's Best Part?
You may be reading the title of this piece, and wonder, What IS the best part? It would be easy to think it is your time and service for Kingdom sake…you know, things like ushering, Sunday School teaching, singing in the choir. Someone else may consider their faithfulness to church services and tithes paying to be the best part. Still others may see it in the amount of offering they give to missions.
All of these things are noteworthy…we should be faithful in working for the Lord, assembling ourselves in the Household of Faith, returning unto the Lord a tithe, and supporting those who labor on the frontlines of ministry. In these things God is pleased, but is any of this the best part?
Recently I have learned that the best part is not anything that would readily come to mind…to put it simply, God’s best part is worship. Bishop Tom Fred Tenney made it plain when he said that those who stay out of a service until the preaching, saying, “I came for the best part,” are thinking selfishly. Bishop asked, “What about God’s best part?” We want to be ministered to, but God is asking, “Who will minister to me?”
It amazes me that there are people who run from worship because a song is ‘old school’, or the other side of the coin, because it is hip and new.
Some stay away from the worship portion of a service because the music is too fast or too slow…it's too loud or not loud enough. Some folks like to sing hymns and southern gospel while others only want the upbeat, urban contemporary sound.
All of this is, first, personal preference, and second, assumption that the worship is in the song. If that were true, how shallow worship would be.
No, worship is not in the song or the singer/musician. Worship that is right is that which comes from the heart of an individual.
Worship means to extol, magnify; show reverence, adoration, devotion, homage, honor, respect, esteem, exaltation, praise, admiration, adulation, glorification to.
I find it interesting that praise is listed in the definition of worship, for so many people separate them… "Worship is for who He is, and praise is for what He does. Worship is a slow song, and praise is fast. Worship is on your face, and praise is in the dance.”
But the fact of the matter is, we make things so complicated when we try to analyze and be technical about every thing we do. We can worship Him for what He does as easily as we praise…we can praise Him for who He is as easily as we worship. We can clap our hands in worship AND in praise...we can dance in praise AND in worship.
We really need to stop complicating something as uncomplicated as God's best part.
Worship and praise is NOT in the beat or style of a song. True worship is that which is offered in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Notice the lower case ‘s’ in the word spirit…it indicates that this is our spirit and not the Holy Spirit. In other words, we are to worship Him with our emotions.
Someone once said, “We can be emotional without being spiritual, but we can’t really be spiritual without involving our emotions.” Because we are emotional beings, our worship can’t help but be this way as well. We may lift our hands, stomp our feet, leap for joy, run an aisle, fall on our face, kneel in reverence, weep with heartfelt devotion, and it is ALL worship.
As noted in the beginning, worship is ministry. While you may have thought you didn’t have a place in ministry, worship is something everyone can do. In worship we minister unto the Lord, He ministers to us, and only then does He minister through us. The worship portion of our services is not a ‘filler’ to take up time before the preaching of the Word. It is ministry unto the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
Let me encourage you today to become a true worshiper. Please do not be dismayed because the presentation in our services is not what it was back in the day.
I remember when there was one devotional/worship leader, and we sang nothing but choruses. Today, there are praise teams, and we sing complete songs. But we are not an emergent church because we try a new way. We are simply taking the innovations of this day and adding to what we already have.
With one hand holding to the best of the present, let us hold to the best of the past with the other, lifting them both in worship, for this is God’s best part!
All of these things are noteworthy…we should be faithful in working for the Lord, assembling ourselves in the Household of Faith, returning unto the Lord a tithe, and supporting those who labor on the frontlines of ministry. In these things God is pleased, but is any of this the best part?
Recently I have learned that the best part is not anything that would readily come to mind…to put it simply, God’s best part is worship. Bishop Tom Fred Tenney made it plain when he said that those who stay out of a service until the preaching, saying, “I came for the best part,” are thinking selfishly. Bishop asked, “What about God’s best part?” We want to be ministered to, but God is asking, “Who will minister to me?”
It amazes me that there are people who run from worship because a song is ‘old school’, or the other side of the coin, because it is hip and new.
Some stay away from the worship portion of a service because the music is too fast or too slow…it's too loud or not loud enough. Some folks like to sing hymns and southern gospel while others only want the upbeat, urban contemporary sound.
All of this is, first, personal preference, and second, assumption that the worship is in the song. If that were true, how shallow worship would be.
No, worship is not in the song or the singer/musician. Worship that is right is that which comes from the heart of an individual.
Worship means to extol, magnify; show reverence, adoration, devotion, homage, honor, respect, esteem, exaltation, praise, admiration, adulation, glorification to.
I find it interesting that praise is listed in the definition of worship, for so many people separate them… "Worship is for who He is, and praise is for what He does. Worship is a slow song, and praise is fast. Worship is on your face, and praise is in the dance.”
But the fact of the matter is, we make things so complicated when we try to analyze and be technical about every thing we do. We can worship Him for what He does as easily as we praise…we can praise Him for who He is as easily as we worship. We can clap our hands in worship AND in praise...we can dance in praise AND in worship.
We really need to stop complicating something as uncomplicated as God's best part.
Worship and praise is NOT in the beat or style of a song. True worship is that which is offered in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Notice the lower case ‘s’ in the word spirit…it indicates that this is our spirit and not the Holy Spirit. In other words, we are to worship Him with our emotions.
Someone once said, “We can be emotional without being spiritual, but we can’t really be spiritual without involving our emotions.” Because we are emotional beings, our worship can’t help but be this way as well. We may lift our hands, stomp our feet, leap for joy, run an aisle, fall on our face, kneel in reverence, weep with heartfelt devotion, and it is ALL worship.
As noted in the beginning, worship is ministry. While you may have thought you didn’t have a place in ministry, worship is something everyone can do. In worship we minister unto the Lord, He ministers to us, and only then does He minister through us. The worship portion of our services is not a ‘filler’ to take up time before the preaching of the Word. It is ministry unto the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
Let me encourage you today to become a true worshiper. Please do not be dismayed because the presentation in our services is not what it was back in the day.
I remember when there was one devotional/worship leader, and we sang nothing but choruses. Today, there are praise teams, and we sing complete songs. But we are not an emergent church because we try a new way. We are simply taking the innovations of this day and adding to what we already have.
With one hand holding to the best of the present, let us hold to the best of the past with the other, lifting them both in worship, for this is God’s best part!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)